that thief and
conspirator!
Aristophanes
You tear them to pieces tooth and nail.
PHILOCLEON. Come forward and defend yourself. What means this silence?
Answer.
SOSIAS. No doubt he has nothing to say.
BDELYCLEON. Not so, but I think he has got what happened once to
Thucydides, when accused;[103] his jaws suddenly set fast. Get away! I
will undertake your defence. --Gentlemen of the jury, 'tis a difficult
thing to speak for a dog who has been calumniated, but nevertheless I
will try. 'Tis a good dog, and he chivies the wolves finely.
PHILOCLEON. He!
that thief and conspirator!
BDELYCLEON. But 'tis the best of all our dogs; he is capable of guarding
a whole flock.
PHILOCLEON. And what good is that, if he eats the cheese?
BDELYCLEON. What? he fights for you, he guards your door; 'tis an
excellent dog in every respect. Forgive him his larceny; he is wretchedly
ignorant, he cannot play the lyre.
PHILOCLEON. I wish he did not know how to write either; then the rascal
would not have drawn up his pleadings.
BDELYCLEON. Witnesses, I pray you, listen. Come forward, grafting-knife,
and speak up; answer me clearly. You were paymaster at the time. Did you
grate out to the soldiers what was given you?
PHILOCLEON. Come forward and defend yourself. What means this silence?
Answer.
SOSIAS. No doubt he has nothing to say.
BDELYCLEON. Not so, but I think he has got what happened once to
Thucydides, when accused;[103] his jaws suddenly set fast. Get away! I
will undertake your defence. --Gentlemen of the jury, 'tis a difficult
thing to speak for a dog who has been calumniated, but nevertheless I
will try. 'Tis a good dog, and he chivies the wolves finely.
PHILOCLEON. He!
that thief and conspirator!
BDELYCLEON. But 'tis the best of all our dogs; he is capable of guarding
a whole flock.
PHILOCLEON. And what good is that, if he eats the cheese?
BDELYCLEON. What? he fights for you, he guards your door; 'tis an
excellent dog in every respect. Forgive him his larceny; he is wretchedly
ignorant, he cannot play the lyre.
PHILOCLEON. I wish he did not know how to write either; then the rascal
would not have drawn up his pleadings.
BDELYCLEON. Witnesses, I pray you, listen. Come forward, grafting-knife,
and speak up; answer me clearly. You were paymaster at the time. Did you
grate out to the soldiers what was given you?
